Itchy Feet

We've spent the last two weeks at Peace River campground in Wauchula, in central Florida just being slow and restful. This is a good area for that, as it’s just far enough away from the city hustle and bustle (and temptation) to make us think twice any big trips. That and the fact we all arrived sick and in serious need of some recovery time!

It’s been a nice break from our often frenetic pace, and it’s given us time to catch up on a variety of tasks and repairs around the trailer. The trailer is certainly in need of some TLC. Rough roads have shaken a variety of pieces loose, road dust has permeated absolutely everything, and the relatively constant travel has made it difficult to keep it clean and organized, inside and out. I painted the kids room, cleaned the place, and Bob steam cleaned our (disgustingly dirty) carpets and booth cushions. The understorage (think garage or basement) got reorganized (and now I can’t find anything!!!). A variety of other small repairs were needed, which we either did or got the materials/ tools to do it at a later date. All of this is so much easier when we’re not moving every couple of days!

The lack of major activities and commercial centres kept us closer to home, but also let us discover the quieter activities of the area. 

We hunted for fossils in the Peace River on the edge of the campground, with several other families.  The adults waded into the slow moving river with shovels and the sieve (some working while others kept an eye out for alligators, or on the kids), while all the kids played on shore. I think the adults were actually having more fun than the kids! The afternoon netted us quite a haul of fossilized shark teeth, stingray teeth, scutes and other small fossils.

the haul

People are allowed to keep the fossils they find here, so Bob picked out a few from the haul and we now have a small collection in our trailer.    

For the first time ever, we picked strawberries at a U-pick farm (I have wanted to go to a U-pick for years, and years, and years… you get the picture… and for whatever reason, never did. Hooray for inexpensive, yummy strawberries, to finally get me out!)

We went for bike rides and walks on the trails near the river, trying to spot Stumpy, the resident alligator (Bob saw him, the kids and I didn't).

The kids and Bob practiced their snorkeling skills in the pool. Mom asked if they had grown gills yet. I checked, but didn't find any… yet. It’s only a matter of time, though, I think! (Yes, I actually asked the kids if I could check for gills and they both came over and obligingly showed me their necks. LOL. I love how kids think!)

We also spent time visiting with, and meeting other families. For a few days our section of the campground felt like kid-central, and it was fabulous. Entertained kids, and adult conversation, made for a happy family (and worn out kids!).We have spent most of our time on the road relatively isolated. We've connected with friends and family at various points along the way, but haven’t really connected with anyone in the campgrounds. Being at a membership campground (Thousand Trails), where other families tend to congregate, gave us the opportunity to make those connections.  

And, so, for the past two weeks, we have felt like we are part of a community. It’s been an enjoyable time, but my itchy feet are ready to move on. Bob is usually more content to sit back and become one with the scenery, but this time he’s feeling it too. Evidently two weeks of quiet and being stationary is enough for us. Time to move on and see some more of the country!